Let us not waste our time in idle discourse!

Illustrating Huck

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:25:02 -0400

Illustrating Huck:

Images from the original ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain.

Language: Color Coded by Origin

Sat, 05 May 2012 13:02:08 -0400

Language: Color Coded by Origin:

Any of you interested in etymology might be interested in this article and its purpose.

Here is an excerpt:

This is a surprisingly complex Monty Python quote where the colors represent Old English (pink), Middle English (red), Anglo-French (orange), Old French (light orange), Middle French (pale orange), and Classical and Medieval Latin (both yellow). I suspect that both the complexity and variety of word sources is intentional — standing in humorous contrast to the appearance of the speaker

Enjoy!

#worstbookever

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:32:59 -0400

#worstbookever:

coolkidsbookclub:

This is so sad, but vaguely funny. VAGUELY.

pachydermini: donate some money ($) to get a pdf of these...

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:01:47 -0400

pachydermini:

donate some money ($) to get a pdf of these stories for you to assemble into little books.

Huffington Post says READ TAO LIN

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:54:46 -0400

Huffington Post says READ TAO LIN:

TODAY, the Huffington Post posted an article about Tao Lin, which is highly appropriate since my lit students are finishing SHOPLIFTING FROM AMERICAN APPAREL tomorrow. Maybe someday I’ll learn to spell “apparel” without having to try four times.

Two Extra AEG Review Sessions

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:22:48 -0400

Hello AEG students. Here are the two days/times when I was able to book rooms for us to have extra help sessions:

WEDNESDAY 4/25 Bunce Hall 3rd Floor Room 332 // 10:50-12:15

THURSDAY 4/26 Library 2nd Floor Room 229 // 12:05-1:30

I apologize if any of you cannot make either of the above sessions. Please contact me via email with what you need help with so that I can accommodate you that way though I won’t be able to in person. PLEASE come to these review sessions with a topic that you think you need the most help with. It would help to review the Final Review first so that you can get an idea how much time you must spend studying punctuation, usage, diagraming, sentence writing, etc.

Cornell Researchers on Understanding Memorable Movie Quotes

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:53:54 -0400

Cornell Researchers on Understanding Memorable Movie Quotes:

This is a very interesting article for my grammar class or anyone interested in language on “what makes a movie quote memorable”. Cornell researchers have broken it down, language-wise, comparing memorable movie quotes over the years.

Final Exam Review – Spring 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:10:00 -0400

I. Using the sentence patterns listed below, identify the pattern number of each sentence. Then diagram each sentence.

1. s - be – adv 6. s – itv

2. s – be – pa 7. s – tv – do

3. s – be – pn 8. s – tv – io – do

4. s – lv – pa 9. s – tv – do – adj

5. s – lv – pn 10. s – tv – do – n

1. ___ The glass is on the edge of the kitchen table.

2. ___ My tax papers from this year are in order now.

3. ___ We named Gina as the rising star of the drama department.

4. ___ Tina, my tenant, mailed me her security deposit and first month’s rent.

II. Circle the correct choice in each sentence below.

5. (Whoever, Whomever) closes the door must be quiet.

6. Many of the (teachers, teacher’s) in the union protested the pay cuts.

7. There (is, are) four books on the table.

8. Lena wants to do (good, well) at the race.

9. A number of birds (has, have) appeared in the yard.

10. No one in the class (has, have) completed the project.

11. Aang is (more fast, faster) than the Firelord Ozai.

12. I sent a card to your parents from you and (myself, I, me).

13. Either the employees or their boss (is, are) at fault.

14. You should be grateful for (whoever, whomever) cooked you this dinner.

III. Using the sentence below as a foundation, write sentences of your own as directed.

The waitress poured the coffee.

15. sentence in passive voice

16. compound sentence containing a coordinating conjunction (underline the coordinating conjunction)

17. compound sentence containing a conjunctive adverb (underline the conjunctive adverb)

18. complex sentence containing an adverb clause (underline the adverb clause)

19. complex sentence containing a relative clause (underline the relative clause)

20. complex sentence containing a noun clause (underline the relative clause)

21. sentence beginning with a participial phrase (underline the participial phrase)

22. sentence using the infinitive to pour as an adverb

23. sentence using the infinitive to pour as a noun

24. sentence using the infinitive to pour as an adjective

25. sentence using pouring as a gerund

26. sentence using pouring as a progressive verb

27. sentence containing an appositive (underline the appositive)

28. sentence containing a linking verb (underline the linking verb)

29. sentence beginning with a prepositional phrase (underline the prepositional phrase)

30. sentence that correctly uses a colon

31. compound-complex sentence

IV. Make corrections or rewrite the following sentences so that all errors are corrected.

32. Tearing her dress, the lace on the girls tutu had caught on a rusted hook.

33. Everyone on the varsity team wanted their jacket to be personalized, which delayed the orders arrival.

34. The health class only had one paper assigned on their syllabus.

35. Daniel walked quicker than before, then he started to run.

36. Mom’s sure happy, that I’ll be home for the holidays’.

37. After reading the journal article, the facts became clear. Whereas I had known very little before reading it.

V. Add punctuation and capitalization to the following sentences as necessary.

38. One of Vladimir Nabokovs novels Lolita became a movie however I have never seen it.

39. The director of the Broadway musical said You must appear more angry in that scene although I dont want you to fake it.

40. After a long hard night of typing I finished writing my novel on January 1 2011 but given the realities of publishing it may take at least two years before I find a publisher.

41. The grammar class focused on the three kinds of verbals the infinitive the gerund and the participle.

42. The clerk who asked for our names was polite but pushy she insisted on showing us several childrens toys from England Germany and China.

VI. Identify the sentences below as either active (A) or passive (P). If the sentence is in active voice, rewrite it in passive; if the sentence is in passive voice, rewrite it in active.

43. ___ The computer made several beeping noises before it exploded.

44. ___ The Nintendo was confiscated after the child’s parents discovered he received an F in biology.

45. ___ My brother’s cell phone was stolen by a bully at his school.

VII. Punctuate and diagram the following sentences on notebook paper.

46. Looking into the window Amy saw a lamp that she liked.

47. The boxes that we packed were entirely too heavy, yet we carried them to the truck.

48. The teacher wanted to announce the names of the students who had passed the exam.

49. Studying for the test was tiresome but worthwhile.

50. Whoever graduates without debt is lucky for scholarships are difficult to find.

51. The janitor wondered if he should wake up the sleeping man.

52. To make money for her vacation this summer the neighbors daughter Betty ought to become a nanny.

53. At the meeting we talked to everyone whom we knew then we left riding together on public transit.

54. Some drivers have found ways to avoid that busy intersection.

55. There are the books I need you to shelve in the poetry section.

This felt appropriate for...

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:21:18 -0400

This felt appropriate for Slaughterhouse-Five—

versushearts:

War & Peace

“We make war that we may live in peace.”
-Aristotle

This is from a comic series called Books We’ve Never Read,...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:20:08 -0400

This is from a comic series called Books We’ve Never Read, wherein a comics artist illustrates books by their titles, rather than their content. This is his comic for SHV.

Atlantic article: The Neverending Campaign to Ban SHV

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:17:00 -0400

Atlantic article: The Neverending Campaign to Ban SHV

EL: Final Paper Guidelines

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:06:56 -0400

Final Essay

Final Essay (4-6 pages)

—Your final essay must discuss a literary aspect (or aspects) of at least one work from our syllabus. If you choose to write about more than one text, then they should be linked through a single subject. The paper should look at the historical and geographical context of the work and its cultural effects. It must also evaluate the text of the work from a critical reader’s standpoint.

—Do not provide a summary of the primary text or texts you are discussing; assume that your reader is familiar with the work and use examples and/or quotations from it to support your point, rather than retelling any of its plot. Please be sure that your paper seeks to prove something and has a clear, strong thesis. Please be sure to choose a topic that you can write about for 4-6 pages. PLEASE let your professor know if you have any questions about this paper.

—You must use at least three outside sources to support your critical standpoint. You can choose to write about any of the texts on the syllabus, regardless of if we have read them yet or not. You must format your paper and specifically your in-text citations (required) in APA or MLA format. Remember, anything you learn from an outside source needs an in-text citation, and all information you include should be analyzed. Your own analysis does not require an in-text citation.

PART ONE: Topic due 4/5

PART TWO: Annotated Bibliography due 4/12

—Provide an MLA or APA formatted bibliography that contains entries for your three required outside sources. Please provide 3-5 sentences for each source that explains why this source is valid and how it will help to support the point(s) you are making in your final paper. Remember, your primary source(s), the piece or pieces of literature that you are writing about, do not count as your outside sources.

PART THREE: Final Paper due 4/26

—Your final paper must be provided to your professor via both hardcopy and email. It must be in either APA or MLA format. For refresher information on how to prepare a proper APA or MLA paper, visit the PURDUE OWL website. Email your professor for a link or with any questions. Be sure your format and especially your citations follow one of these formats. Please do not include your annotations on your references page, only the proper citations for each reference.

Your paper is due to your professor in class on April 26^th.

You also must email a copy to her by the end of that day. Late papers (hard copies or email) will be deducted 5% off of their grade per day late, no exceptions.

No papers will be accepted a week after your final paper is due, no exceptions.

Why read? Are stories essential? Read the article “Do We...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:50:00 -0400

Why read? Are stories essential? Read the article “Do We Need Stories?” by Tim Parks, featured in the New York Review of Books to get some insight to many opinions on why. The Short Answer: The internet presents a deafening roar of LISTEN TO ME, and we listen. Why not listen, instead, for a small part of your day, to someone who took their time to craft something that you might learn from, instead of the constant yammering of those who postpostpost? The beauty is in the question here, though, not the answer. The Long Answer: Read the article!

AEG ANNOUNCEMENT: Grammar Verbals Extra Help

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:25:10 -0400

Complete information for the Extra Help sessions on verbals can be found below:

Wed. 4/4 10:50-12:05 Bunce English Dept. Seminar Room 339 (3rd floor)

Thu. 4/5 12:15-1:20 Library Room 229 (2nd floor)

*I have moved the first session from next week to this week so that it will be before your exam.* *Please be sure that you are also studying on your own, seeking out help from Savitz Hall, forming study groups, and generally spending at least the required 3 hours/week reviewing the grammar material.*

ANNOUNCEMENT: Grammar Clauses Tutoring Monday 4/2

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:22:00 -0400

Hello AEG,

The grammar tutoring for clauses WILL MOST LIKELY BE IN THE SEMINAR ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE BUNCE BUILDING. This will take place from 10:50-12:05 tomorrow, 4/2/2012. If we cannot use that room, we will still meet there. I foresee us being able to use it.

Thanks for your patience.

-prsw

EDIT: The practice WILL be held in room 332 in the Bunce building. See you there.

AEG REVIEW for Exam #3

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:52:00 -0400

American English Grammar REVIEW FOR EXAM #3 Spring 2012

I. Punctuate each sentence, if necessary, and then diagram it on notebook paper.

A group of students wanted to review their notes although the test had already started.
If the dog tied to the tree is still there I will give him a treat and he will probably wag his tail.
The teacher selected Kat who was sitting next to me as the class secretary.
To draft this article you will are going to interview seniors with learning disabilities.
On the table or behind the desk are two places where the dog often hides his toys.

II. Diagram each sentence on notebook paper.

There are many reasons to begin exercising on a daily basis.
The crowd dispersed after learning that the court case had ended earlier.
Whomever you choose for your team must be able to throw a baseball.
Someone in the room asked when the show was going to begin.
That customer had no reason to be angry with you.

III. Circle the correct choice in each sentence below.

The person (who, whom) the manager hired is always late.
(Whoever, Whomever) he asks to the prom will be ecstatic.
There (is, are) only two reasons for me to say yes.
Sherry and (me, I, myself) found a stray kitten.
Frequently, the number of people who win the lottery (is, are) three per drawing.
My twin sister and best friend (win, wins) homecoming queen every year.
Either the jacket or the pants (has, have) to be gray.
Each of the girls wrote down (her, their) answers.
The accountant felt (bad, badly) about his mistake on the tax form.

IV. Mark each sentence below as active or passive voice. If the sentence is passive, rewrite it in active voice.

___ The keynote speaker’s event tonight should be required for all attendees.
___ A pencil was passed to the student by a friendly classmate.
___ The radio DJ is interviewing a prospective intern.

V. Write sentences of your own as directed below.

Write a sentence using trying as a progressive verb.
Write a sentence using trying as a gerund.
Write a sentence using trying as a participle.
Write a sentence using to draw as a noun.
Write a sentence using to draw as an adverb.
Write a sentence using to draw as an adjective.

Adrienne Rich "Tonight No Poetry Will Serve"

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:27:46 -0400

Adrienne Rich "Tonight No Poetry Will Serve":

Tonight No Poetry Will Serve by Adrienne Rich

Saw you walking barefoot
taking a long look
at the new moon's eyelid

later spread
sleep-fallen, naked in your dark hair
asleep but not oblivious
of the unslept unsleeping
elsewhere

Tonight I think
no poetry
will serve

Syntax of rendition:

verb pilots the plane
adverb modifies action

verb force-feeds noun
submerges the subject
noun is choking
verb    disgraced    goes on doing

now diagram the sentence


2007

Article on Jezebel.com about The Hunger Games and Racism

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:13:13 -0400

Article on Jezebel.com about The Hunger Games and Racism:

When we read Huck Finn, we will be talking a lot about racism. This article clearly shows very sad instances of racism currently still alive in America today, as well as people’s lack of reading comprehension skills. I think it’s an appropriate read for those of you in our Lit class who have read the Hunger Games books/seen the first movie.

"1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in..."

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:07:13 -0400

“

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.

3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.

5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

”

- After David Ogilvy’s now-infamous 10 tips on writing and Henry Miller’s 11 commandments of writing, here comes a list of rules for writers from George Orwell circa 1946. (via explore-blog)

NYTIMES articles on Young Women as Trendsetters in Vocal Patternss

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:41:25 -0400

NYTIMES articles on Young Women as Trendsetters in Vocal Patternss:

This link above is to an article that locates young women as vocal trendsetters. Patterns in language are learned and repeated, and who would have thought that young women set these trends off more frequently than any other social age group in the English-speaking world? This article will be of interest to anyone interested in language.